Mission Prayer

Pray for the Mission

The Lord has given His church a great responsibility and privilege to bring His Gospel to the “ends of the world.” When the ends of the world are coming to us the imperative is augmented. But we are more inclined to act first and pray later. Yet, Jesus tells His disciples that while the harvest is ready to be brought in, the bringing begins with prayer for the workers.

Mission Prayer calls you to prayer. Jesus tells us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the harvest. In this we see the heart of God, the mission of Jesus and initial action for disciples in the buidling of the Kingdom, namely prayer. This is counter to our cultural context that insists we take action and stop thinking. Will you assist in building the Kingdom? Sit down and make prayer for the mission a priority in your life of faith. We invite you to pray with us by joining Texas Mission Prayer and viewing the weekly Mission Prayer List.

Team Members

Rev. Jon Braunersreuther

Jon serves as mission and ministry facilitator for area D (the greater Houston metropolitan area and surrounding counties) of the Texas District, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

A native of Clearwater, Nebraska, Jon graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska with highest honors in 1985. He received the degree of Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1989, having served his internship at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas in 1987-1988, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies through Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Prior to serving in his current position, he served as associate pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Brighton, Colorado, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Amarillo, Texas, as mission and ministry facilitator for area A of the Texas District, and as senior assistant to former President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick.

Jon and his wife, Rachel, are the parents of two children, Erin Lahue (Alex) and Andrew.

Jon’s service areas include strategic planning and the district’s participation in the Church Planters Leadership Forum.

Team Members

Rev. Steven Misch

Mission & Ministry Facilitator Area A, Circuit 1-7

806-433-4536

Office: Deployed
1511 Gawain St.
Borger, Texas 79007

For all but one year of twenty-seven in congregational ministry, Steven Misch has served as pastor in the Texas District. Growing up in Northern Minnesota, Steven did his undergraduate work at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN. After completing graduate work at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, he began his ministry on the Navajo Indian Reservation with Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM). In 1983, Steven was called to serve at Grace, Del Rio, Texas. After five years he accepted a call to St. Mark, Lake Jackson, Texas where he served for eight years. In 1996 Steven moved to Houston to serve as an associate pastor at St. Mark, Houston. From there he accepted a call to serve at Good Shepherd in Borger, Texas. Now serving as Mission and Ministry Facilitator of the Texas District, Steven considers it an honor to be a resource and an encourager for the pastors and the congregations of Area A as they move ahead in the mission. Steve is married to Lynn, and they have two boys, both of whom are serving as pastors in the LCMS.

Steve’s personal mission statement: “To teach, preach and live the Word, knowing that the Spirit will work through the Word, giving life, hope, and joy to all who embrace Jesus by faith. Trusting the Spirit, it is my desire to walk with pastors and congregations as they together, develop a mission vision for ministry in Area A and beyond.”

Team Members

Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab

Mission & Ministry Facilitator Area B, Circuits 8-19

260-458-4825

Office: Deployed
5012 Glen Springs Trail
Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Yohannes Mengsteab joined the Texas District to serve as the mission and ministry facilitator of Area B in October of 2015. Before coming to the Texas District, he served the church and its missional leadership in various capacities since 1991: as a parish pastor; missionary at-large to African immigrants in the DC area; counselor for African Immigrant Ministry of North American Missions; director of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (Concordia Seminary); director of Urban and Specialty Ministries; and as the director of New Mission Development (Church Planting) of the LCMS. Most recently, he worked with The Lutheran Foundation of Ft. Wayne, IN, as the director of ministry programs. He holds a PhD in Missiology and serves as adjunct professor of missiology at Concordia Theological Seminary. He and his wife live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and are blessed with three boys. He enjoys being with his family, reading, traveling and meeting new people.

Yohannes’ personal mission is “to know Christ and to use every opportunity he has to introduce Him to as many as it is possible.” Yohannes considers it a high privilege to serve in and with the Area B congregations to reach to “as many as possible” with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!

Team Members

Rev. Michael Newman

Mike Newman has served as the MMF for Area C since July of 2008. Before serving the Texas District he served in pastoral ministry since 1987 in congregations in Texas, Illinois, and Minnesota. He has been blessed to be involved in the leadership, development and growth of a mission congregation and has served congregations both large and small. His ministry journey has included participation in multi-ethnic ministry, international mission trips, the planting of new ministries, radio and television ministry, and the writing of books and resources. He and his wife Cindy live in San Antonio and are the parents of two wonderful daughters. His hobbies include running, reading, and spending time with family.

Mike’s personal mission statement is: “To vibrantly communicate usable faith in order to ignite the reality of and hunger for Jesus Christ in all people.” Mike is excited to assist Area C congregations as they reach out with the Good News of Jesus Christ.